4 Marion Co. employees charged for metal thefts

MARION COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Four Marion County employees are in hot water after investigators discovered thefts being carried out by inmates.

The sheriff's office was tipped off to the thefts of metals from different buildings throughout the county, and discovered 61-year-old John Reichardt took inmates to an old farm house to steal copper wire.

"John Reichardt was assigned to the County prison camp. His main job duty was driving the prison camp bus," said Sheriff Mark Richardson.

John Reichardt and 37-year-old John Reichardt Jr. of Mullins, 51-year-old Alvin Wilson of Latta and 55-year-old James Ammons Jr. of Marion obtained moneys from the sell of scrap metal belonging to Marion County. Reichardt Jr, Wilson and Ammons were assigned to the County Shop.

John Reichardt was charged with second degree burglary, solicitation to commit a felony, obtaining nonferrous metals causing damages less than $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent.

John Reichardt Jr., Alvin Wilson and James Ammons were charged with three counts, two counts and one count of breach of trust with fraudulent intent, respectively.